TRIB - The tight bond

Brief introduction – who you are as a group/community and how you became part of the mountain running world.

1. How did your community's story with running begin?

We are the TRIB Suceava Sports Club Association, a community of people united by their passion for running, movement, and nature. The name TRIB comes from Trail Running in Bucovina, and our community of runners has existed for over ten years. We started as a group of friends who went out running together, and over time this passion transformed into an active community that organizes sports events, supports social causes, and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Since January 2023, we have chosen to officially organize ourselves as a sports association, precisely to be able to develop larger projects and to organize our beloved competition, the Dragomirna Marathon, an event thru which we aim to bring together runners, nature, and the local community. Mountain running came naturally to us because we live in a place where nature constantly invites you to hit the trails. Bucovina provided us with the terrain, and the community gave us the energy to grow together.

2. Who are you when you're not running?

We are ordinary people, with very different professions and lives. In our community, there are teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, economists, IT specialists, architects, lawyers, public servants, technicians, artists, physiotherapists, students, and pupils. We are parents, colleagues, friends, and often volunteers in projects that aim to bring something good to the community. What unites us is not our profession, but the values we share: the desire to be active, to spend time in nature, and to build beautiful things together. For many of us, running is the moment when we temporarily leave behind the hectic pace of daily life and reconnect with ourselves and with others. We try to transform this energy into a positive force for the community. We organize sports events, support charitable initiatives, promote movement and a healthy lifestyle, and get involved whenever we feel we can make a difference.

3. What has this experience – being part of Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB – told you about yourselves as a group?

The experience at Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB reminded us how powerful the community is when people come together around a common goal. The hours spent at the edge of the trail, at support points, preparing hydration or snacks for the runners, or simply encouraging each of their steps, showed us how much an apparently small gesture matters: a glass of water, a word of encouragement, a sincere smile, or a simple "Bravo, you can!" said at the right moment. We have learned, or perhaps relearned, that generosity, patience, and solidarity are instincts when you are part of a community that shares the same values. It is a unique feeling to see how the energy you give to the runners, without expecting anything in return, comes back tenfold – in grateful looks, in smiles, in moments when you feel that your effort matters. As a group, this experience has strengthened our belief that together we can achieve great things. It has shown us that it's not just about who crosses the finish line first, but every moment we support each other, being present, engaged, and connected. It reminded us why we love our community: because every heartfelt gesture creates a bond that lasts long after the race is over.

4. Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB is a race, but also a state of mind. How does this place feel to you – the nature, the runners, the energy?

For us, Bucovina is more than just a backdrop – it is home. The mountains, forests, trails, and the tranquility of the place create a space where running takes on an almost spiritual dimension. Every step on the trails of this region connects us with nature and reminds us of the beauty of simplicity and the natural rhythm. At Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB, you feel a truly special energy: runners from all corners of the world, dedicated volunteers, engaged locals – all united by the same emotion and passion for running and nature. The atmosphere on the trail and at the support points has a unique vibe: it inspires you, energizes you, and makes you feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself. Bucovina offers us not only spectacular trails but also memories and bonds that will stay close to us long after the race has ended. This place shows us how nature and community can become a living space, where the collective energy charges you up and makes you want to return again and again, with the desire to be part of this universe of running and solidarity once more.

5. If you were to tell other communities about what it means to support a race like Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB, what would you want to convey beyond words?

We would tell them that they need to be there to truly understand. It's not just about running or competition, but about the small moments that make all the difference: a timely smile, a warm "you can do it!" spoken with sincerity, a glass of water offered at the right moment. Every gesture, no matter how small it may seem, can change the course of a race for a tired runner, restore their hope, and bring them the energy to continue. Being by the track means becoming part of each runner's story. Even if you don't run, you contribute to their journey – to their effort, their joy, and their victories. You see how emotion and collective energy are transmitted between people, how solidarity and support make you feel like you are part of a community that matters. Additionally, the experience teaches you patience, empathy, and generosity. In the hours spent by the track, you understand that each runner has their own struggle and their own pace, and that your role as a supporter is to offer them unconditional trust and support. You see how each person's effort intertwines into a common energy that inspires, motivates, and transforms the race into a nearly magical collective experience. Supporting a race like Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB means feeling like you are part of something bigger than yourself – a vibrant community where every gesture matters, where the energy given with heart returns and amplifies, and where the joy of each runner becomes your joy. It's about giving without expecting anything in return, about being a witness and support for the effort and passion of others, and about creating memories together that last long beyond the finish line.

6. What does the idea of being the root that supports runners looking toward the horizon mean to you?

For us, being the root means being stability and support – invisible, but essential. Every gesture of support, every smile, and every encouragement said at the right moment creates the energy that helps runners keep going. We are, practically, those unseen roots without which nothing could grow, and the runners looking toward the horizon need this invisible support to continue their journey. This experience brings us back year after year because it reminds us of the joy of being part of something greater than ourselves. And perhaps the most important hope we carry forward is that, thru small, constant, and heartfelt gestures, we can build a sustainable culture of community, movement, and generosity—a community where every step counts and every contribution has value.